Donna_In_India

37 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

I believe if you were on a ship with the MSC for Me app, you could have seen it.  EM

I need a copy now though. It's not available now.

I had to go to the medical center during our cruise a few weeks ago. I have the bill from the medical center but never got a copy of my final folio showing it was paid. Is there any way to get that now? I need it to file an insurance claim. Thanks!

We have a check-in time of 4 p.m. and our ship leaves at 6 p.m. Seems very late. Is that usual/normal? We have early dinner so should we expect our luggage to arrive before dinner? Are they very strict about arrival/check-in time? 

1 hour ago, blueslily said:

There are also tons of great YouTube videos to give you even more info really quickly in case you don't get as many replies here as quickly as you want the info. Happy cruising! 

Thanks! I watched a lot last night.

12 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

You most certainly can wear shorts in public spaces and usually in the dining room as well. On their "elegant" night, they state shorts shouldn't be worn in the MDR, but your mileage may vary on enforcement. There are vegetarian selections on the MDR menus for each meal. Also, plenty of vegetarian options in the buffet.

 

You will need to log into the website or the app to do your web check-in. There you will enter passport/travel document information, etc. Do you have sole custody of your daughter? If not, you will need written and notarized consent from her other parent(s) to take her out of the country. You mention you have been on cruises before, so I assume you are already familiar with that process if you have traveled with your daughter before.

Thank you! I'm slowly putting it all together. 

My teen daughter and I are coming off a canceled trip that rocked us. I've been looking for something - anything - to do - and decided a cruise might work. We've been on many, never MSC. There wasn't a lot of choice left for this weekend - and the ports looked good for this cruise. I booked quickly - without doing much research and now am trying to sort through what I've done!

A few questions - we did not book YC.

I just read that you can't wear shorts/jeans in any public space/dining room at night. Please confirm. 

My daughter is a vegetarian. Is she going to be eating pizza all week? 😞

Do I need to fill out any documents before we board?

1 hour ago, kaisatsu said:

The Drake is a gamble any time during the season. The statistical differences through the season are negligible.

 

Penguin colonies do clear out, as penguins are sea birds and only go ashore for long periods during mating/nesting season. You will likely still see some penguins that late in the season, but far fewer, and you won’t be able to observe the behaviors of a nesting colony. Expect a few groups to be sitting around on shore or ice floes, resting or molting. i.e. not doing much.

 

Whale watching is often still good late in the season. And the ice is there.

 

My last trip was late season, and while I still enjoyed it, I wouldn’t choose it if I wanted to see penguins doing cute penguin things.

Thanks! I'm pretty torn but the penguins are an important part of the trip for us. 

Has anyone done the last trip of the season - last week of March into first few days of April? We've been trying to work around a school schedule since our previous trip was canceled due to COVID. I've just heard that "most of the penguin colonies have emptied out as the penguins leave for winter" at that time. Obviously, penguins are a big draw so...will we not see penguins? Is the Drake Passage much worse at that time? Any other info would be appreciated. I think it we don't go in 2024, it will be another 4 years or so until we can work the dates. Thanks! 

We're cruising with extended family first week of Oct. We'll be in Bermuda for 2 days. It's been a while since we've been to Bermuda so what beaches are nice for toddlers/kids (2,4)? Easy to get umbrellas/chairs? Also, what other activities can we do with them and a 13 yrs old? Thanks for any suggestions.

Greek Islands - We (13 yrs old daughter and me) are considering a cruise with stops at Mykonos, Crete(Chania), and Zakynthos. We'll probably do a little sightseeing and then want to spend time on the beach. Any suggestions for best beaches? Any other suggestions welcome as well. Thanks!

Thank you all for the information!

Thank you all for the information!

Thank you all for the information!

Thank you all for the information!

We are considering booking a cruise and usually eat in the buffets. How are things in the buffet now? 

Specifically:

Is anything self-serve (I assume not)?

Are you able to tell the servers how much you want of something - and get that amount (don't care for waste)?

Are there a lot less options at the buffet the pre-COVID?

Thanks for any info!

We are considering booking a cruise and usually eat in the buffets. How are things in the buffet now? 

Specifically:

Is anything self-serve (I assume not)?

Are you able to tell the servers how much you want of something - and get that amount (don't care for waste)?

Are there a lot less options at the buffet the pre-COVID?

Thanks for any info!

We are considering booking a cruise and usually eat in the buffets. How are things in the buffet now? 

Specifically:

Is anything self-serve (I assume not)?

Are you able to tell the servers how much you want of something - and get that amount (don't care for waste)?

Are there a lot less options at the buffet the pre-COVID?

Thanks for any info!

We are considering booking a cruise and usually eat in the buffets. How are things in the buffet now? 

Specifically:

Is anything self-serve (I assume not)?

Are you able to tell the servers how much you want of something - and get that amount (don't care for waste)?

Are there a lot less options at the buffet the pre-COVID?

Thanks for any info!

We are considering booking a cruise and usually eat in the buffets. How are things in the buffet now? 

Specifically:

Is anything self-serve (I assume not)?

Are you able to tell the servers how much you want of something - and get that amount (don't care for waste)?

Are there a lot less options at the buffet the pre-COVID?

Thanks for any info!

9 hours ago, PerfectlyPerth said:

 

The reason the difference is mentioned is because icebreakers have a rounded hull so they bob on the sea like a champagne cork and rock around much more. 

 

You are going on an ice strengthened ship with a normal ship hull shape and are completely stable in any seas. 

 

What on earth is worrying you about the waves ? You are not going to be out on the bow with them splashing over you. Outer decks are closed in bad weather. You will be indoors. Even in good weather it is not compulsory for you do be out on the decks if you don't want to be. Your choice. 

 

You are being a tad irrational. Once you understand that you can settle down and have an incredible holiday. Approx 50,000 make this journey every season. Waves or not. 

 

Me personally - I love the rough seas. Bigger the better. It makes it part of the experience. 

Thanks for your judgemental response. I'm traveling with an 11 yrs old. I always like to be prepared.

1 hour ago, kaisatsu said:

Might be worth noting that the Ushuaia is not an ice breaker, so the ship has a normal hull shape. So if you were concerned about the behavior of ice-breaker hulls in open water, there’s no need to worry.

I don't think that makes a difference to me. I'm concerned about the waves. 

1 minute ago, bornfreenowexpensive said:

I was just there on the MS Ushuaia in Dec 2019. There were 80 passengers and 30 crew.  The Drake was rough on the passage to Antarctica and smooth on the way back.  This was also a very small ship without stabilizers.  We had a cabin on the lowest floor with twin beds.  I thought it was very rough, the staff thought it was not so bad, so I hate to see what bad it (we had no storms or rain, snow, wind).

There were no hugh waves, but still a lot of rocking.  Being in bed felt like being in a rocking baby cradle.  We slid from side to side, so glad for twin beds.  Going over, that lasted about 20-24 hours. Normally I don't get seasick as long as I take one Bonine daily.  Unless seas are very rough.

I took Bonine twice a day, probably a double dose.  At one point I also took Zofran (prescription only).  I was ok as long as I laid flat in bed and just waited it out.  If I tried to stand and walk I was dizzy and sick.  So I just drank some Coke and ate some crackers in bed and listened to music on my phone.

My husband on the other hand only took Bonine and felt pretty good.  He went to all meals.

Many of the men on the trip were also quite sick.  Big strong men felled by the current.

Some people who used the patch were sick, others were not. One man I talked to used the patch and took Zofran and said he was fine.

Our cabin steward was very kind, but said he has never been sick.

 I loved this trip.  I would go again if not so expensive and crossing the Drake.  One of our best trips ever.

 

 

We're going on the Ushuaia! Thanks for the info. I'm hoping I can get something for my daughter in addition to the patch just in case. Sounds like your trip wasn't so bad as far as the waves. The thought of huge waves is making me really nervous. I'm hoping my daughter doesn't freak out too.

1 minute ago, Carol From California said:

You can never tell how rough the Drake crossing will be.  We were in Antarctica in February, 2018. On the way down we had the "Drake Lake".  It was very calm.  On the way back we had the "Drake Shake". There were huge waves and lots of rocking. We were on the Silversea Cloud and the chairs in the restaurants are chained to the floor for a reason.  There were many people who got seasick. I get seasick so I have the prescription patch and never got seasick at all.  Are you prone to seasickness?  Bring appropriate meds and you will be fine. Enjoy your cruise! Antarctica is amazing!

No, none of us are prone to seasickness. I'm more worried about feeling like we're going to end up in the water! 😁

We are going to Antarctica at the end of March with our 11 yrs old daughter on a 100 passengers ice breaker. I was wondering about the Drake Passage crossing. Although we've never gotten seasick we'll bring appropriate meds just in case. I know that no one can predict how it's going to be but can you give me any tips about surviving if it's rough. I'm more nervous about huge waves and severe rocking than I am about getting seasick!

This is what we did through  http://www.klaipedahostel.com/tours-and-activities/   and loved it!